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July 9, 2020

Steps to Take if You Had Your Thyroid Removed or Ablated

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Are there steps you can take to feel better if you had your thyroid removed or if you had it ablated? While you’ll definitely need to be on medications, there are still so many things you can do to support the other parts of your endocrine system, support detoxification, reduce symptoms and feel better!

Steps to Take if You Had Your Thyroid Removed or Ablated

What happens when you don’t have a thyroid or your thyroid doesn’t produce hormones (the 30,000 ft. view):

While there are many various kinds of thyroid hormones, the two main thyroid hormones to be aware of that your body now can’t make are fT4 and fT3. fT4 is produced by the thyroid and then most of it is sent to the liver to be converted into fT3. 

When the thyroid has been ablated or removed, it’s imperative that you talk to your doctor about the correct dose of t4 and t3 medications so that your body has these two essential hormones. 

There are some thyroid hormones and other thyroid levels that you can influence with your diet and lifestyle. 

Here are some examples:

TSH – TSH is a pituitary hormone, and while it does rely on feedback from fT4, you can also help keep it in balance by taking steps to balance your adrenals (more info on that below).  Nine times out of ten, when TSH is elevated it’s from an imbalance in the adrenals. And, if it’s elevated, it’s either from an imbalance in the adrenals and/or toxicity somewhere in the body. 

TPOab – TPO antibodies are an immune system issue, not a thyroid issue. Thankfully, there are dozens of things you can do to improve antibodies!

TgAB – TgAB antibodies are also an immune system issue, not a thyroid issue, and there are steps you can take to improve them.

TSI – TSI antibodies are usually present when someone has Graves’ disease. This is an immune system issue, not a thyroid issue, so once again, there are lots of things you can do to improve them!

rT3 – This is a hormone that goes up when there is excess cortisol (aka stress) in the body. When rT3 goes up, this can suppress the immune system, lower fT3, raise or lower TSH, create nutrient deficiencies, etc. So, it’s really important to keep stress in check!

You can also take steps to balance your blood sugar, balance your adrenals, reduce elevated cholesterol, improve digestion, detox, etc. 

Here are steps I recommend taking if you had your thyroid removed or ablated:

1. Support your adrenals – this is probably the most important step you can take because adrenal imbalance can cause a wide variety of different symptoms such as:

A tendency to be a night person
Hair loss
Having difficulty falling asleep
Waking up in the middle of the night with difficulty falling back asleep
A slow starter in the morning
Feeling keyed up and having trouble calming down
Low blood pressureHeadaches after exercising
Clenching or grinding your teeth
Chronic low- or middle-back pain
Difficulty maintaining chiropractic adjustments
Craving salty foods
Perspiring easily
>Chronic fatigue or getting drowsy often
Afternoon yawning
Afternoon headache
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Seasonal or chronic allergies
Pain on the medial (inner) side of the knee or knees
Needing to wear sunglasses
Dizziness when you stand up
Difficulty losing weight
Gaining weight around the waistline
Getting upset or angry easily

Click here to learn 20 steps you can start taking today. I also have a free class about how to use essential oils to support your adrenals.

2. Eat a nutrient dense diet – the foods you eat are a big factor in the health of the entire body. The right foods can help support your endocrine system, balance blood sugar, reduce digestive issues, and so much more. Click here to read about the diet I recommend. 

3. Keep an eye on your TSH levels – TSH is a hormone that the pituitary sends out to tell the thyroid how much or how little thyroid hormones to produce. Some of this is dependent on the levels of fT4 in the body, but not always. In general, TSH levels tell you what your pituitary is up to, but it’s not telling you what the thyroid is doing. 

Everyone is biochemically individual, but in our practice we’ve found that a TSH level between 0.5-2.0 is the range where people feel healthy and vibrant.

The pituitary, hypothalamus and adrenals (also called the HPA axis) are all part of the endocrine system and communicate with one another throughout the day. When the body perceives stress – emotional, mental, physical, environmental, mental, stress from disease, etc. – this creates an imbalance in the HPA axis. For some people, this will cause the pituitary to create more TSH, and for some it will create less. 

So, a high or low TSH level isn’t exactly a thyroid problem. Instead, there’s usually some sort of imbalance in the HPA axis. Your practitioner’s job is to now figure out why there is an imbalance.

If your thyroid has been removed or ablated, sometimes the stressor that this is causing on the body could be enough to throw off TSH levels.

4. Support your liver –  The liver is one of the primary detox organs in the body and is responsible for over 500 functions in the body. It’s also the master transformation site that filters toxins from the blood to neutralize and eliminate them. These toxins can include: synthetic chemicals, excess hormones, heavy metals, sugar, processed foods, etc.

Signs that you may have some liver congestion:
Grey circles under or around the eyes
Bloodshot eyes
PMS symptoms
Menopause symptoms
Blood sugar imbalance
Under conversion of T4 to T3
Liver disease
Itchy skin, hives, or other rashes
Waking up with night sweats
Hormone imbalance
Chemical sensitivity
Dark spots on the cheeks and/or around the eyes (commonly known as liver spots)
Nausea
Estrogen dominance

Above all, remember that detox is a process, not an event. So it’s best to incrementally change some of your daily habits to enable your liver to function at its optimum capacity over time.

Click here to learn about 8 ways you can detox your liver naturally.

5. Take steps to ensure proper stomach acid production – If you have digestive issues such as heartburn, indigestion, bloating, gas, burping, undigested food in your stool, candida, SIBO, leaky gut, etc. it’s imperative that you take steps to increase proper stomach acid production.

When the stomach doesn’t make enough stomach acid, then the body cannot use the nutrients in food. This can create hormone imbalance, adrenal imbalance, stress in the body, nutrient deficiencies, etc. Click here for steps you can take.

6. Aim to get 8-9 hours of sleep each night – sleep is a time when our bodies rest, repair, heal and detoxify. If you’re struggling with insomnia, click here for tips. 

7. Reduce stress – too much stress in the body, especially for extended periods of time, can cause digestive issues, hormone imbalance, heart disease, adrenal imbalance, or autoimmunity.

While we can’t always get away from the stressors in our lives, it’s important that we take steps so we can better handle and react to the stress we are currently experiencing.

How to help reduce the stress response in the body:
Get outside daily
Exercise daily
Meditate – I’ve found the apps Headspace, Soulspace, Abide and Calm very helpful.
Pray and read the Bible
Talk to a friend, family member or counselor about the stressors in your life
Take an epsom salt bath a few times a week

I think it’s also important to note that not having a thyroid is an inherent stressor on the body. So, it’s important from here on out to take extra steps to take care of yourself.

8. Antibodies – reducing thyroid antibodies is a very multi-layered process, and it’s important to understand that antibodies are an immune system issue, not a thyroid issue. It is very possible to reduce antibodies if you don’t have a thyroid, or if your thyroid doesn’t produce thyroid hormones. 

As I mentioned, this a very multi-layered process, so to get headed in the right direction, I recommend following steps 1-8 for at least six to nine months. 

If you would like to access my 90-day protocol for balancing your hormones, blood sugar, adrenals, improve digestion, reduce antibodies, etc. I recommend checking out my Thyroid Support and Health online course. It’s written for anyone with any kind of thyroid disease, and for those without a thyroid.

Filed Under: Thyroid Disease, Thyroid Disease, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

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10 Comments

  1. Lacey

    July 9, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    Hi Carrie! First off, thank you for so much great information for us no thyroiders! Secondly, is it preferrable that I eat grain free or just gluten free? I thought I saw you say once that anyone with thyroid disease shouldn't have grains at all? Thank you!
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    • Deliciously Organic

      July 13, 2020 at 10:09 am

      You're welcome! If you have antibodies, an autoimmune issue or lots of gut issues, I would cut out all grain. If not, soaked grains are usually ok.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  2. April

    July 11, 2020 at 10:50 am

    Sorry some how I hit send. Have a migraine today. I have been eating egg whites for breakfast lots of water, lunch good salad but I put nuts in it and have some quinoa. Should I not do that? Then dinner protein, potatoe or rice and veggies. Not good to help my thyroid and lose weight? I’m working on stopping on the sugar and just walking for now. Am I doing it all wrong? My Tsh is high so I’m more hypothyroid. I’ve been never weighed gibs much in my life. Help please?! I would greatly appreciate it! My self esteem is shot. I was always working out, hiking, biking etc please give me some insight?! I would greatly appreciate it!!! Thank you so much for listening to me!! I don’t know what to do. Thank you! I didn’t finish my first comment
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    • Deliciously Organic

      July 13, 2020 at 10:08 am

      I'm so sorry you are struggling. The steps listed in this post can help quite a bit. My free 45 minute online class will also give you some tips to get you going in the right direction. (the steps I share apply even if you don't have a thyroid) https://deliciouslyorganic.net/thyroid-disease-masterclass
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  3. Rosina Gutcher

    February 1, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Hi I am 73 and stopped work at a Care Home last August as I didn't want any jabs. I had my Thyroid completely removed(in error they said later) when I was 42 and have not been taking any medication/s since. I have daily Kelp tablet and have no issues apart from overnight towards the end of being in bed my lower legs tingle a bit and my feet are sometimes cold. Should I have the covid jab?
    to Rosina Gutcher" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Rosina Gutcher'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      February 2, 2021 at 10:41 am

      I recommend reading the full insert so you can decide if it's a good fit for you.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  4. Regina

    December 8, 2022 at 12:45 pm

    Love what you are doing but I have to say I clicked off ... or will after this message because I find all the ads very annoying. I want to read your blog but having to keep clicking off pop ups and scrolling past the ads was too annoying. Just wanted to let you know. Great site and great info but way too much advertising.
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    • Deliciously Organic

      December 12, 2022 at 9:40 am

      Thanks for your feedback. The ads help pay the bills so I can keep this site running and provide free information.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  5. Jamie

    December 20, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    Hello, I’ve been having serious issues with my thyroid. Im on Armour & Cytomel, & my tsh is 0.010, but my t3 & t4 are still low. None of my Dr’s agree on how to treat me. I have a lot of the symptoms you mentioned above for adrenal issues. Is there any advice as to what I should do about the super low tsh, & my shit adrenals? Thank you so much! -Jamie
    to Jamie" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Jamie'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      January 2, 2023 at 12:09 pm

      I recommend reading my article about optimal thyroid labs. I think you'll find that info very helpful!
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment

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Hi, I’m Carrie Vitt, FNTP
Welcome to Deliciously Organic

Through unprocessed, organic food and detox I’ve reversed Hashimoto’s disease, chronic migraines, IBS and eczema.

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